Paint over wallpaper - need to worry about primer?

[DeLorean75]

Hi

I'm getting conflicting advice on painting over wallpaper.

Parents house - looking to smarten up (it's already soiled w spilt plaster etc out of shot).

Some sources saying vital to use oil based primer of some sort to ensure paper adhesive doesn't absorb paint and deteriorate.

Paint shop saying whack on some vinyl matt and all will be fine.

Appreciate a steer from the online DIY encyclopaedia...

Many thanks

[bp1]

Used this in the past

https://www.zinsseruk.com/product/wallpaper-cover-...

No problems in the 5 years since.

[ferret50]

Is this to tidy up to sell?

1 Leave as is for the buyer to sort out and price accordingly
2 Do a 'proper job', strip wallpaper and re paint in a neutral colour....lots of work for probably little extra gain.

[DeLorean75]

ferret50 said:

Is this to tidy up to sell?

1 Leave as is for the buyer to sort out and price accordingly
2 Do a 'proper job', strip wallpaper and re paint in a neutral colour....lots of work for probably little extra gain.

No. Elderly parents house. Can't be much disruption.

[DeLorean75]

bp1 said:

Used this in the past

https://www.zinsseruk.com/product/wallpaper-cover-...

No problems in the 5 years since.

Very interesting thanks, though I wanted to keep the texture.

Do I understand correctly this sets as a smooth finish to paint and aims to eradicate any textured surface?

[ferret50]

DeLorean75 said:

No. Elderly parents house. Can't be much disruption.

Then I would crack on with a couple of coats of emulsion, it will be a right bd to strip in the future, but that may well not be your problem!

[DeLorean75]

ferret50 said:

Then I would crack on with a couple of coats of emulsion, it will be a right bd to strip in the future, but that may well not be your problem!

I hadn't even thought of that.
Well who knows how the movie ends....maybe

[Mr Pointy]

Do they smoke? If they do the nicotine will bleed through unless you seal it so you couldn't just paint on top of the paper.

[dhutch]

Assuming no smoking, just paint it with a decent emulsion, not milky watery cheap stuff.

Get it on quickly and efficiently and it should be fine, dont over work it, dont pick at it if its lifts a bit, will likely dry fine.
Worse case, touch a few joints in with some dec chalk and paint over that. Sorted!

If its thick/embossed paper the top layer will likely peel off ok, removing the paint and allowing you to damp down and remove the rest.

Don't over think it too much!

[DeLorean75]

Mr Pointy said:

Do they smoke? If they do the nicotine will bleed through unless you seal it so you couldn't just paint on top of the paper.

they don't

[BoRED S2upid]

ferret50 said:

DeLorean75 said:

No. Elderly parents house. Can't be much disruption.

Then I would crack on with a couple of coats of emulsion, it will be a right bd to strip in the future, but that may well not be your problem!

You would be surprised. I had a house that had wallpaper that had been painted like a dozen times when I took it off it came of really easily in huge stuff sheets.

[Heaveho]

BoRED S2upid said:

You would be surprised. I had a house that had wallpaper that had been painted like a dozen times when I took it off it came of really easily in huge stuff sheets.

In all likelyhood, that's exactly what will happen.

Just emulsion it. It'll like as not bubble up, but as long as you leave it alone to dry, it'll sort itself out. As said, the joints may show if you use a pale colour, and may need attention afterwards, but no big deal.

Sadly, I have to do this stuff for a living. I don't know much about much, but I know about this.

[DeLorean75]

Brilliant thanks

[CoolHands]

Looks like an Agatha Christie intro

[DeLorean75]

CoolHands said:

Looks like an Agatha Christie intro

I'll give you that.

Miss Havisham's bedroom from Great Expectations is more what rattles around my brain...